About
Plato Business Development Network
Facilitating Business Growth
PLATO is a confidential network based on the parenthood principle, group learning, facilitation and networking.
PLATO addresses the needs of businesses by providing owner-managers with support, advice, training and a range of opportunities to develop their personal skills and management capability.
Expand your network
PLATO seeks to promote contact amongst like-minded owner-managers of small/medium-sized businesses, management executives from large companies and recognised management experts and specialists.
Participation in the network enables entrepreneurs to access and develop the skills and contacts required to grow and prosper. By collectively discussing, exploring, and analysing issues of specific relevance businesses grow in knowledge and insight. This enables managers to make the best of their resources, develops the ability to identify areas within their enterprise, which can be improved and provides them with support in implementing improvements.
Client Results
Our members have received remarkable results with the guidance of Plato Ireland.
PLATO was established in Ireland almost 30 years ago as an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment via the City and County Enterprise Boards now the Local Enterprise Offices, IBEC and Chambers Ireland.
To date, some 15,000 business owners have participated in the network making PLATO Ireland’s premier business development and support network for owner-managed businesses and self-employed. The network is open to all sectors and relevant to all growth stages.
WHat our Member's say about plato
My colleagues and I got fantastic help and support from the tailored programme that our facilitators put together and appreciated learning from the multinational representatives in lots of varied areas including marketing, pricing, social media, strategy, HR, productivity and finance. It can be particularly difficult running a SME, as the owner/manager you are responsible for everything without a support system. Our team provided us with much needed support and structure while also providing a sounding board to bounce ideas off.
The mentorship that was provided to me from this programme has seen our business grow by 63% in revenue; we have recruited 3 new full time managers and implemented systems for success through the mentioned business functions, in particular in sales, marketing and team management.
Thank you for your expertise and for the ‘extra miles’ that you put into this programme to help our business prosper.
Carole McCaughey
Kyles Events and Catering
I took part in Plato in the 2016/17 programme, as part of a dedicated food group. I found the programme to be excellent. We had terrific team leaders who supported us throughout the programme. A few people left the group early on & the core group formed a really good network of support for each other. We had access to speakers who brought great knowledge & practical advice in the form of Marketing/HR/Business planning etc. This is a great programme, but you will only get out of it what you put into it. If you commit to it, turn up to all the meetings, be aware that it’s up to you to implement what you learn, it is a very enriching experience. Our group have decided to continue meeting once a month, on a more informal level, which is great. When you run a small business you can be isolated & Plato gives you a set of trusted colleagues which is invaluable.
To be honest I don’t think you can express strongly enough in a short sentence the importance of understanding how the subtly of family dynamics can impact a business and the role people who understand same can play to loosening the constrictor that is the personal relationships holding a business back potentially.
Shirley O’Rourke
Owner of The Delicious Food Co
I found the Plato course so helpful over the past few months so much so that my predominant feeling right now is of disappointment that it has concluded. The selection of topics covered was so relevant and there were so many practical solutions for business that were easily implemented that meant after every session you could bring something into the way you do things. The speakers that were rolled out were obviously all experts in their own field but again they had a way of getting their points across without over complicating anything. Goal Setting, Vision for our company, Wealth Extraction, HR improvements and general positive approaches to business (and indeed life) were so welcome in what was the most difficult year of trading. On top of that there was a great sense of togetherness amongst the group and Marion, Joanne and Ian just made it all so easy. I couldn’t recommend this highly enough and a huge thank you to all involved. I would definitely like to stay in contact.
